‘Sagada 9’ Punks Welcome Reinvestigation

The nine punks illegally arrested by the Benguet police have welcomed the appointment of a new prosecutor to investigate them reiterating that they being innocent victims detained for eight months now, the investigation should have been done earlier.

BY NESTOR GUILLERMO
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY (246 kms. north of Manila)  — The nine punks illegally arrested by the Benguet police have welcomed the appointment of a new prosecutor to investigate them reiterating that they being innocent victims detained for eight months now, the investigation should have been done earlier.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez assigned Baguio Assistant Prosecutor Octavio Banta to conduct a reinvestigation of the nine punks still languishing at the Benguet Provincial Jail for almost eight months now after they were “illegally” arrested by provincial police. Banta's reinvestigation may recommend the filing or not of a case based on the existence or non-existence of a probable cause.

The youth punks detained, originally called “Sagada 11” by their peers gained media attention after crying foul for police brutality and hideous torture experiences after being implicated in a New People’s Army (NPA) raid on a military detachment in Mankayan, Benguet on Feb. 14 this year.  They introduced themselves to the media as “Punks 11” with their tattoos, fitted pants, black boots and nonchalant hairstyle (usually dreadlocks and mohawks) 

Originally 11, down to 9 after the two minors Frencess Ann Bernal and Aldoz Manosa from Manila were ordered released by Judge Agapito Laogan, Jr. citing the passage of the Juvenile Justice Law that protects minors from criminal persecution.

Left behind bars are: Jefferson de la Rosa, 22, single from Santolan, Pasig City; Neil Russel Balajadia, 25, also from Santolan, Pasig City; Ron Pandino, 19, single from Campung, Laguna; Arvie Nunez, 21, single from Silang Mayaw, Lucena City; Jethro Villagracia, 22, single from Malagos, Calinan, Davao City; Anderson T. Alonzo, 18 single also from Malagos, Calinan, Davao City; Rundren Lao, 24, also from Davao City. 

Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) vice chair Beverly Longid said that the recent developments proved to be an advantage after Laoagan asked Gonzalez to assign prosecutors “with no preconception” about the case.  They also hope that Banta would immediately start the reinvestigation. She also added that the plight of the Sagada 11 had caught the attention of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who called for the early release of the nine jailed punks specifically the three members who hail from Davao.

Laoagan was reportedly ready to release the “punks” in May after he ruled that arresting officers violated their constitutional right. He later granted Benguet prosecutors ample time to re-file the case pushing civil rights lawyer to request for reinvestigation.

Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, Cordillera police director, said the Benguet police had evidence to support the claim that the youths had participated in the raid conducted by the New People’s Army in Cabiten, Mankayan.

“Magandang development ito, sana tuloy-tuloy na” (This is a good development and we hope it will be sustained), Lao and De la Rosa said in an interview with Nordis.

“Salamat pala sa mga punks sa Davao sa pangungulit sa opisina ni Mayor Duterte. Salamat sa mga sumusuporta sa amin,” (Thanks to the Davao punks for interceding in our behalf with Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte. Thanks to all who supports us.) De la Rosa added. Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat 

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